DAVE Watson has promised fans they will see the real Tranmere Rovers at Wigan tomorrow as his side embarks on the mammoth task of making a late dash into the second division play-offs.

DAVE Watson has promised fans they will see the real Tranmere Rovers at Wigan tomorrow as his side embarks on the mammoth task of making a late dash into the second division play-offs.

Rovers' humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Peterborough on Tuesday has left the club six points adrift of the final play-off place with just 18 points left to play for.

Having read the riot act to his players as a result of Tuesday's debacle, the manager is adamant reaching the play-offs is not yet a mission impossible.

"We have left ourselves with a massive task, but it can be done," admitted Watson.

"During the early part of my career at Norwich we put a brilliant run together to gain promotion from the old second division after finding ourselves near the foot of the table at Christmas.

"And Ray (Mathias) took Wigan to the play-offs three years ago with a run of victories in the final matches. It is not impossible, but we cannot afford any slip-ups.

"There will be a response from the players tomorrow, I can promise the fans that. Tuesday was not acceptable but we have had a long chat and the players have shown me in training this week that they are ready to put things right."

If Tranmere are to give the kiss of life to their dwindling hopes of making the play-offs they must beat a Wigan side which has specialised in reaching the top six.

They have been involved in the play-offs in each of the last three seasons, twice sneaking in as the sixth placed team.

Last season Wigan finished sixth with 75 points, while Mathias' late charge moved them into sixth place with 76 points.

To match that kind of points haul Rovers will need to win five of their remaining six matches and draw the other.

Do that, and the record books suggest Dave Watson's men will have earned enough points to qualify for the dramatic end of season knock-out.

Watson added: "We need to win as many games as possible. We will have Clint (Hill) back tomorrow and hopefully he will be available for each of the last six games because he is the team's leader.

" He is only young but he is vastly experienced and he is vital to the cause. We have missed him."

Meanwhile, Tranmere youngster Ryan Taylor is hoping to be followed into the international fold by other members of the Rovers youth team after making his England U18 debut on Wednesday night.

The full-back played the full 90 minutes for England in their 3-0 defeat against a strong Italian side.

He is only the fifth Tranmere youngster to win England youth honours.

He said: "You would expect the top clubs to be making up the England squad but out of the blue I got a call up. I am hoping this is the first of many call ups and this is where it all begins.

"The players that I am playing with at Tranmere have helped me a lot and, in my eyes, there should be a few more in the squad with me and hopefully there will be soon."